January 1, 2010

For those interested in the future of municipal WiFi and how we should best deliver networks and services to the public, I strongly recommend a piece by Larry Karisny on Muniwireless.

In short, he argues that networks should be built with dual public private purposes in mind, since with the rise of smart devices, municipal wireless networks can become dumb pipes for both. Why build two sets of dumb pipes when one will do for all? A meter reading device, or a traffic light monitoring system can get its backhaul from the network while people using the same network can connect in public spaces.

The year 2009 started with municipal wireless left for dead by mainstream media, and it ended with billions in stimulus grant monies supporting the expansion of broadband throughout the world. From rural broadband expansion to making utilities smart, there is a brighter future for municipal wireless broadband networks and the applications support them. We have learned from failed municipal wireless models and can now move forward. There is a new direction: combined public-private wireless networks that offer sustainable financial models and create jobs, reduce energy use and health care costs, promote affordable education and improve national security. There are three reasons why these new models will be successful.

I offer some comments in dialog with Karisny myself, noting how the overall need for Wi-Fi for carriers, the public and the public sector alike should make 2010 a very interesting year in public WiFi.

By Marshall Brown | Permalink | Comments (0) |